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(Model.)v l 3Sheets-Shet`1'. D. C.. LOEWENSTINE 8v J. E. FOX.-

vSHOW CASEv Patented Jarh, 1884.

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D. C. LOEWENSTINE 8v J. E. FOX.

' SHOW CASE.

' 'Patented Jan. 8, 1884.

(Model.)

Mu@ I' 1131111 N. PETERS. mmmhognplmr. washingmn. D. C.

Unrrnn 4Sfr-.aries ,PATENT @erica DAVIDC. LOFVENSTINE AND JAMES EFOX, OF MINNEAPGLIS, MINN.

snow-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part `or Letters Patent No. 291,612, dated .Immay e, 1884.` Application led July 2, 1883. (Model.)

To. all when@ t may cm2/cem.:

Be it known that we, DAVID @LonwnirsTINn and Janus E. Fox, both citizens ofthe y United States, and both residents of Minnei IO' I parts of the cover-hinge when the cover 'is "apolis in the county of Hennepin, in `the partially elevated. Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged `details of the form ofpeg used to sup- ,4 port hats, caps, and similar goods in the case.

Figs'. 6 and 7 are enlarged details, illustrating `the construction of the tilting mechanism of the` goods-supporting pegs. Fig. 8 is a vertical` sec-tion cutting from front to rear of the case closed. Fig. 9is a similar View, showing the case opened and the display-frame elevated.

, Fig. 1() is a sectional View, looking from the front, of a portion of one side ofthe case, taken in a plane indicated by the line l 1, Fig. 8. Fig.

11 is ahorizontal section of the upper displayi frame in aplane indicated by the line 2 2, Fig. l2. Fig. 12 is a side View cfa portion of the upper display-frame. Fig. 13 is a horizontal section 'or' one side' of the middle displayframe in a plane indicated bythe line 3 3, Fig. 14. Fig. 1-1 is a side view of the lower part ofthe middle display-Trame. lFig. 15 is a' horizontal section ot," one` side of the lower display-frame in a plane indicated by the line 4 4,'Fig. 16. Fig.16is`a side View of the lower part ofthe lower display-frame. Fig.` 17 is is an enlarged detail View, illustrating the construction of themechanism for supporting the displayi'rames. the View being avertical section ofthe upper corner oi the rear end ofthe middle frame lying down, and through one of thesupporting-rails of the frame. Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of asection of the case, illusytrating the relative positions and the arrangement of the tracks upcn which the displayframes run. Figi` 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one of the display-frames with the goods -supporting pegs turned up, and Fig 20 is a similar View with the pegs turned down.` Fig. 21 is a front view of aportion of one of the frames with the pegs turned upfas shownin Fig. 19. i i

This inventionrelates to show-cases for dis-` playing articles of' merchandisein stores, &c more-especially hats, caps, furs, `and-similar goods, having a series of` goods-supporting frames, in which the goods are s0held` that when` the frames are folded down in compact form lwithin the case the goods will inot fall out of the frames, but at the sametime be Aeasily accessible when the frames are turned upward, 'as hereinafter shown, and then specifically` dened by theclaims.

In the drawings. A is the base of the case,

vA2 A3 the sides, A* the back, Af the front, and

AG the top, of the same. The base, sides, and back are all secured to each other, while the `front and top are in one piece, or formed solidly together and adapted to lielooselynpon the front and top, as shown in Figs. 1 `and 8.

yThe top and front A5 A6 are rmly held at Aright angles to each other `by suitable metal .straps and braces at their curved end and con-` nections will be formed `with glass` panels, through which the interior of the case may be Upon each end of the rear part ofn the' top A6 a metal bracket, B', is secured, passing down outside of the sides A A3 of .the case,

observed. The sides and the back ot the case g may also be vformed with glass panels, if p re- .ferred and pivoted at a in a slot, c, in one end of' a bar, B2. The other end of the barB2 is piv-` cted upon the rear edge of the side, ,asA a short distance down from the top. The bracket Biis curved forward at B3, and when thecover` is folded down, as shown in Fig. l, this curved portion rests behind and partiallybeneath an anti-friction grooved roller, b. on theupper part of the side ofthe case. Only one set of these brackets and bars is shown, but `each side of 'the case will of course be supplied with its own set. brackets and slotted bars, when theiront andV top of the case are raised up by the handle Al, the top A(i will slide back over the upper edge of the back A, and drop down behind the By this arrangement of' the IOO striking the bottom of the slot a2.

'A6 out of a perfectly-closed position.

top are thus raised, the bars B2 are brought into an inclined position downward and backward, substantially as shown in Fig. 2. This position of the bars, brackets, and top of the case is such that the bars, under the weight of the front and top, cause the top to hug closely to the back ofthe ease, and also act as braces to prevent the front and top from tipping forward, they being thereby held securely in their raised position. At the same time a gentle pull forward and downward on the handle A7 readily lowers the front and top again to their closed position. A variation of the inclination of the bars B2 varies the stability of the support of the front and top when thus raised. lf the inclination of the bars B2 is .lessened-that is. it they a're arranged in a position nearer horizontal-the front and top are held up with greater firmness'. It' the inclination is increased-that is, if they are brought nearer to a vertical position-the support of the front and top is less firm. Thus we can adapt the bars B2 to different weights of the front and top, and make their support as rm, and as firm only, as desired. NVhen first raised, as in Fig. 3, the tendency' is for the rear edge of the top A6 to rest upon the upper rear corner of the back A'L until the angle of elevation is sufficient to overcome the friction7 when the cover and front would slip back suddenly until stopped by the pivot a' To avoid this sudden slipping back,we form the curved portions B3 upon the brackets, and arrange the anti-friction grooved rollers b on the sides A2 A3 so that `just as soon as the front and top AAG begin to rise, the curved portions B2, running under the rollers b, begin to crowd the cover back as soon as it begins to rise, and thereby prevent any jumping or jarring of the movement. These friction-rollers b also serve to hold the front A5 back against the front edges of the sides A2 A3, as otherwise the front and cover would be free to work forward as far as the slots a2 would permit. The grooved rollers b, holding against the forward edges of the brackets B', serve to hold the front and top A5 A from any lateral swerving, so that there is no danger ofthe bracing,when used on the ends of the top and front, striking or rubbing the corners of the sides A2 A, Also the forward swells of the portions B3, under the rollers b,when the front and top are closed down, serve to prevent the rising of the top Thus the rollers b perform an important part in the operation of our improved hinge mechanism. This hinge thus acts as a binder to hold the cover in position after it drops down in elosing. The hinge may be adjusted to drop the front and top down any distance desired when raised.

Upon each of the inner surfaces of the sides A2 A2, near their tops, are a number of parallel tracks, c c2 c2. c, the tracks c c2 being in line one above the other, the tracks c 2 lying close to the sides A2 A, and the tracks c3 at a point midway in a perpendicular line between the tracks c2 c, as shown in-Fig. 18.

C C2 C3 are three oblong open goods-supporting frames, each adapted to occupy, prefably, about onesthird ofthe interior of the case, as shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, in which they are represented as lying in a horizontal position, one above another. In this position the frames are entirelyT within the case, and the front and top of the said case, when let down, then completely shut the frames in the case. If more or fewer than three frames are employed, each occupies ,its proper proportion of the space in the case.

d is a at bar, pivoted by one end to the upper frame, C, and provided with a grooved roller, d2, adapted to run upon the track c2, while a similar bar, cl2, is pivotedl by one end atd4 to the same frame C', and provided with a grooved roller, d5, running upon the track c, as clearly shown in Fig. 12. The central frame, G2, is provided with an arm, e, similar to the arm d', and pivoted by one end to the frame C2, and having a roller, c2, running upon the track c2, while another arm, e2, connected to the arm e by a bar, 0*, is also provided with a roller, c5, running upon the same track, o2, as clearly shown in Fig. 14. The lower frame, C, is provided with a fixed arm, g. having a roller, g2, running upon the track c4, as clearly shown in Fig. 16. Each end of each of the frames C C2 C2 will be provided with a set of the rollers to run upon the tracks, but only one set is shown upon each framein the drawings. When the frames C C2 Gi are all folded down, as shown in Fig. S, the central frame, C2, rests upon the lower frame, C, and the upper frame, C', rests upon the central frame. Then, when the front and top AS'Aare raised up, as shown in Fig. 2, the upper frame, C', may be drawn out and lifted up, asin Fig. 9, (the rollers d2 d? supporting the lower end,) and then run yback against the back A4. This position of the frame C brings the arm d" into a backwardly and upwardly slanting position, so that a pin, h', upon the frame C will rest upon a pin, 71.2, on the arm d, and thereby support the frame in an upright position, but free to be run forward upon the tracks c c2, to display the goods, and run back.,

to make room for the other frames. Then the central frame, G2, may be drawn outward and turned up against the frame C.

Pivoted in the lower parts of the frames C2 C, upon either side, are small hooked catches z', those upon the frame C2 adapted to catch upon the conneetingbars c* ot' the said frame C2, when the latter is elevated to hold it upright, as shown in Figs. 19, 20, and 2l, while the catches t' upon the lower frame, C, are adaptedto catch upon small stops 7c, attached to the front edges of the sides A2 A3 for that purpose, asl shown in Fig. 9. The action of the hooks on the frame C is the same as that of the hooks z' on the frame C2. By arranging the eatehz' upon the central frame to catch upon the cross-bar e2, the frame is left free to IfO IIO

291,612 C l l 3 be drawn forward to, the front of the case to e display the` goods, ormoved back against the and sustained in avertical position, theystand i `onein` front of another, and substantially in `the same plane,as shown in Fig. 9. They .1 frame C `to makeroom for the lower frame `to be elevated. Bythis means, when the frames` C? Gii are elevated, the catches will holdthem elevated. `Vhen allthe frames arethus raised also stand partly above the sides of the case, as showninthe same figure. By the construc-` tion herein represented and described, about two-thirds ofthe height `of the frames are thus brought above the sides ofthe case, when they are raised to a vertical position. l Thus they are brought up to a `convenient height for examination of the` goods held by the frames,

i and for easily reachiiigthe same, although the `case itself may becomparativelylow.

` `same time the front Aof the case is held above andout ofthe wayofthe frames, when both At the the case-front `and the frames 4are raised. rllhe l top A6 of the caselthen stands in a vertical `pol sition behind theframes.

` l tersto `the lower sides or bottoms of the frames "C2 C3, when elevated,"and adapted, whenpulled `by one end,1to throw `the lower ends of the catches@l outward and disconnect the upper na m are small levers, pivoted by their een-` ends of the catches from thcarmse'l and stops k, when thegframes Cllor C3 are to be lowered *down r, l l. r `/Vhenused for `the display of ribbons and similar goods in rolls oreompact form, the "frames C` C203 will be` merely provided with rods or frames iorsupporting. the bolts of rib- Vbons, ete., and when` used for some other kindsV `ofgoods7 mere shelves or hooks will .besut'fr tient;` but when used for the display of hats land caps, and some kinds of furs, and boots and shoes, but more especially hats andeaps,

` f, `wel arrange in each of the frames C' 0:', C` aseua thereon. f C? C3 are postsxGi, through which the rods D run,` and each pair of the posts in each frame `jaresecured togetherl at their tops by metal riesci' parallel rods, D, pivoted by their ends in the endsof theframes C C? C, so that they can be revolved or oscillated, and have pegs Ingthe center of each frame C frames E. l (See Figs. `19, 20, and 21.) `In each v of the postsGi, opposite the pointswhere the l `rodsD pass through them, are slots, (see Figs.

, Gand 7 out` through which small arms a', at-

` `tached to the rods D, run. and each set` of the arms` n ofeaclr perpendicular row of l rods D areconnectedtogether at their inner ends by ,rods n2, `asshowmsothat all the rods of each, ,j `perpendicular. row may be oscillated, at once 1bymoving its connecting-rod a up `or down.

` Eachpair of the posts Gtof each` frame are r `,connected together atintervals by crossfpieees` G, and held looselyupon these cross-pieces by strapsor other bearings are upright rods H, connected to the rods a2 by astrap, n3, play-` l 65.

to allow a lateral movement ofthe rods "on ing in inortises orholes in the` said rods, iso as the strap, so that bymovin'g the rodH 'upor other, as shown in Fig. 20.

, automatically when down each of the two perpendicular rows of the rods D maybe turned overr toward each Each ofthe frames E is formed int-o a handle, El, by which each ofthe frames Of C? C may be raised and lowered,and in each of these handles `is pivoted asmall lever, F', connected at its inner end by a small rod, F', to one oi' the rods H, so that by raising and lowering the levers F the rods H may also be raised and lowered, and the pegs au on the rods D turned' into a vertical or a horizontal position. Above the levers F', in each of the handles E2, is piv- Oted another lever, F3, to the inner end of which acord or-wire, t, is attached and runs down to two bell cranks, `t2 tl, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 21,) and from thence in opposite directions to the small levers m, which operate the catches. By pulling down upon the levers F3, it will be seen the catches i will be disconnected and leave the frames Q2 C3 free to be lowered down. Springs will be attached to the catches t' to throw them outward, so that they will catch upon the bars @tand stops k suitableform, different kinds of goods requin4 ing different kindsoi' pegs; but forsupporting hats, caps, 6to., we use the form shown more clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, consisting of a iiat plate, ra,of metal, bent around the rods D and secured thereto by rivets, screws, or similar means, or, as shown in the drawings, by punching a portion of the metal into the wood. WeA

prefer the latter method, `as being cheaper, more simple, and fully as secure as `any other means. In the upper ends of the metal plates a portion is cut out ou three sides,and the cutthe frames Ct' C3 are raised 1 The pegs upon the rods may be made of any t out portion bent forwardforming a lip, u2, which catches behind the sweat-lining of the hat when the frames are lowered, to prevent the hats slipping from the pegs whenthe frames are accidentally jarred.

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Spring-catches r will be attached to the frames G2 G3, to `catch the levers F when they are thrown down, as shown in Fig. 19, to hold the levers downward, and prevent the acci` dental displacement or swinging down of the su Jortinojegsa when the frames C C2G3 Dl el are lowered. `These. springfcatches will be so arranged as to be easily released by the finger l of the operator when it is required to turn the pegs a down,and automatically catch and hold the levers when the pegs are elevated. Each ofthe levers F has a lug, o, upon its upper side, the part of the lug toward the handle E2 beingona curve `of which the pivot ofthe lever is the center, and the remainder of the lug hollowed out, as shown. Each of the levers F3 has a downwardly-projecting lug, e, which nearly touches the lug o when the levers F*` are thrown up forlowering the pegs u', as shown` in Fig. 20. The levers F are thus always freeto be moved up and down; but `when the levers F` are raised up, as in Fig. 20, to throw the pegs u downward,`the lugs e will come Le-4 Ico lneath and in front of the lugs 'v2 and prevent the levers F" from being operated. Vhen the pegs a' are all turned up and secured in that position by locking the levers F' with the catches x, as shown in Fig. 19, the lugs o2 are in position to move down in front of the lugs o', thus allowing the levers F3 to be operated forunlocking the frames Cz C, so that they can `be lowered into ahorizontal position. By this means the frames Cl or C3 cannot be turned down until the pegs u' are raised upward to secure the hats, &c. If the frames were turned down when the pegs are turned horizontally, the hatsl would all fall out, but to prevent any such mishap we provide the locking-lugs o' @2J With the construction above described there are two parallel sets of oppositely-placed rods D D in each frame, the pegs u'ai' on one set turning inward toward those on the other set of rods simultaneously. Fach article-such as a hat-rests over two of the opposite pegs on their respective rods when the frame is raised to a vertical position for display, and hangs by the upper peg of the two when the frame is lowered to a horizontal position, the pegs being then horizontal. So. when the frame is raised to a vertical position, the pegs are also in a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 19,- thereby preventing the hats being shaken or thrown from the rods on which they rest, especially when the frames are moved backward or forward, both pegs being then necessary to keep the hat in place. Then, when it is desired to take one or more hats from the rods for examination or sale, the rods are turned by the means above described so as to bring the pegs into a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 20. In that position of the pegs the hats may be taken from the rods as readily as from a shelf, and as readily replaced thereon. x

Having described ourinvention and set forth its merits, what we claim is- 1. A showcase having goods-supporting frames U' C2 C3 contained therein,and provided with a front, A5, and top A6, formed in Xed lrelation to each other, the top being hinged at the rear of the case to the same, the said front andtop being adapted to be raised and held with the top in a vertical position, and the front in a horizontal position at some distance above the ease, whereby the said frames may be raisedto and held in a vertical position partly above the case and beneath the said front, substantially as herein specified.

2. Ashow-oase having a bottom, back, and sides in iiXed relation to each other, and provided with slotted pivoted bars B2, in combination with a front and top in fixed relation to each other, and provided with brackets B',

adapti-ng the top, when raised, to slide back and drop down behind the back A4, substanil tially as described.

3. A show-case having a bottom, back, and sides in fixed relation to each other, and provided with slotted pivoted bars B2 and antifriction grooved rollers b, in combination with the front and top in Xed relation to each other, and provided with vbrackets B', -having curved portions B3, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

4. The combination, in a show-case, of a case bottom, sides, and back, A' A2 A3 A, tracks c' cz c3 c4, andgoods-supporting frames C' C203, provided with rollers adapted to run upon the said tracks, arranged and operating substantially as herein shown and described.

5. In a show-case, a series of goods-supporting frames or holders contained within the case in a horizontal position, one above another, and adapted to be raised to and independently sustained in a vertical position, one in front of another, and substantially on the same plane, without removal from the case, for the purpose herein specified.

In a show-case, aseries of goods-supporting frames or holders contained within the case in a horizontal position, one above another, and adapted to be raised to and sustained in a vertical position, onein front of another, on substantially the saine plane, each frame being partially above the sides of the case, in combination with a case having a connected front and top adapted to be raised and held away from the said frames, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

7. In ashow-case, agoods-supporting frame adapted to be placed and held in both a horizontal and a vertical position, and providtwl with two sets of oppositely-located rods, D D, the respective sets of rods having pegs a' u', adapted to be turned inward simultaneously toward each other and upward parallel with each other, substantially as herein specified, whereby each article is adapted to be held by two opposite pegs on opposite rods of the frame, the pegs being adapted to be thus turned inward toward each other to permit the full removal of the article, substantially as herein set forth.

8. The combination, in a showcase, of a frame having pivoted rodsD and pegs u', the connecting-arms a', rods a", handle E2, lever F', having a lug, o', lever F3, having a lug, o, catch z', lever m, and connecting cord or wire t, substantially as shown and described.

9. 'In a showcase, aholding-peg, a', formed of a iiat plate of metal bent at one end around a rod, D, and held in place thereon by a por tion of the metal cut in and bent from the plate into the rod, and having at the other end a lip, a2, out in and bent outward from the plate, in combination with the arms a' and n2, straps a3, and rod H, substantially as herein specied.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

DAVID C. LOEWENSTINE. JAMES E. FOX.

Witnesses:

C. N. WooDwARD, LoUIs FEEsER, Sr.

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